Mirian Gom 
EDO, Nigeria – The Edo State Government has made malaria testing and treatment free in all government hospitals across the state for two years, as part of efforts to improve access to healthcare.
The state’s Special Adviser to Governor Monday Okpebholo on Health, Dr Andrew Iyamu, announced the policy on Wednesday in Benin City during the government’s monthly briefing.
Iyamu said the governor approved the policy to ensure residents could access malaria diagnosis and treatment without financial barriers. “Any government hospital you go to, you don’t pay for malaria testing and treatment. It is free. The arrangement is for two years; after two years, the policy will be reviewed,” he said.
The adviser also said the state had renovated 65 Primary Health Care Centres across its 18 local government areas and 35 secondary health centres.
According to him, the government has also recruited about 1,000 health workers as part of efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery. “The Eneghede General Hospital, which has been moribund for 19 years, has been renovated. Go to the doctors’ quarters; there is ongoing renovation there,” Iyamu said.
He said the administration was also intensifying efforts to address substandard health facilities, quackery and the circulation of fake medicines.
The Executive Secretary of the Edo State Drugs and Health Commodity Agency, Princess Kenny Okojie, said the government had renovated its drug warehouses constructed during the administration of the late General Samuel Ogbemudia.
Okojie said the state was also working with Chinese investors on plans to produce medicines locally for use in Edo and supply to neighbouring states. “We have renovated the drug warehouses that were built during the time of General Samuel Ogbemudia. The state government is working with Chinese investors to produce drugs in Edo State. We are also supplying drugs to the private sector,” she said.
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Oluwatobi Adu 